How To Increase Stitches In Knitting For Beginners

Learn how to increase stitches in knitting with this beginner-friendly guide.

Increasing means adding new stitches to your knitting so your project can get wider, shape properly, or create a decorative effect.

You may see increases used in sweaters, sleeves, raglans, shawls, hats, socks, baby knits, lace patterns, and many other knitting projects.

In this guide, you’ll learn what it means to increase stitches, how to add stitches in knitting, which increase methods beginners should know, and when to use each one.

You’ll also find links to full step-by-step tutorials for KFB, M1L, M1R, yarn over, and lifted increases.

Quick Answer: How Do You Increase Stitches In Knitting?

To increase stitches in knitting, you add one or more new stitches to your row or round.

You can do this in several ways, including KFB, M1L, M1R, yarn over, and lifted increases such as RLI and LLI.

Some methods create a nearly invisible increase, while others make a small bar or decorative hole.

The best method depends on your knitting pattern and the finished look you want.

Knitting Increases At A Glance

Increase	Full Name	Best For	Finished Look
KFB	Knit front and back	Beginners, simple shaping, scarves, shawls	Small visible bar
M1L	Make one left	Left-leaning shaping	Neat directional increase
M1R	Make one right	Right-leaning shaping	Neat directional increase
YO	Yarn over	Lace, eyelets, buttonholes	Visible hole
RLI	Right lifted increase	Subtle right-leaning shaping	Nearly invisible
LLI	Left lifted increase	Subtle left-leaning shaping	Nearly invisible

For example, a sleeve may start narrow at the cuff and gradually get wider toward the upper arm.

Video Tutorial: Common Increases In Knitting

Watch the video tutorial below to see several common increases worked step by step.

This quick overview shows how different increase methods add an extra stitch and how they look in the knitted fabric.

Is Increasing The Same As Adding Stitches?

Yes, in knitting, increasing usually means adding stitches.

When a pattern tells you to increase, it means you need to create extra stitches in your work.

You might increase at the beginning of a row, at the end of a row, in the middle of a row, or on both sides of a marker.

Different increase methods create different effects, so it is always best to follow the method written in your pattern.

Why Do You Increase Stitches In Knitting?

You increase stitches in knitting when you need to add width, shape your fabric, or create a design feature.

Increases are commonly used for:

• Sleeve shaping
• Raglan shaping
• Shawls
• Hats
• Socks
• Sweaters
• Cardigans
• Baby clothes
• Lace patterns
• Decorative stitch patterns

A shawl may begin with only a few stitches and grow wider each row.

A lace pattern may use increases and decreases together to create eyelets, texture, and shape.

Before You Start

Before learning how to increase stitches in knitting, it helps if you already know how to cast on, knit the knit stitch, work the purl stitch, and count the number of stitches in your pattern.

You will usually work increases with the stitches on your left needle and use the tip of the right needle, or right-hand needle, to create the new stitch.

Some increases use the working yarn to make an extra stitch, while others use part of an original stitch, the bar between stitches, or a stitch from the row below.

If you are a left-handed knitter, the movement may look slightly different, but the aim is the same: to add a stitch in the place your pattern tells you.

1. KFB: Knit Front And Back

KFB stands for knit front and back.

This increase is made by knitting into the front of a stitch, then knitting into the back of the same stitch before sliding it off the left-hand needle.

KFB increases your stitch count by one and creates a small visible bar on the fabric.

It is beginner-friendly and often used in scarves, shawls, sleeves, hats, baby knits, and simple shaping.

KFB is a good first increase to learn because you do not need to pick up a strand between stitches or find a stitch from a previous row.

For the full step-by-step tutorial, see: KFB Knitting: How To Knit Front And Back.

2. M1L And M1R: Make One Increases

M1 means make one.

M1L and M1R are directional knitting increases made by lifting the horizontal strand between two stitches and knitting into it.

M1L means make one left and creates a left-leaning increase.

M1R means make one right and creates a right-leaning increase.

These increases are useful for balanced shaping in sweaters, sleeves, raglans, shawls, hats, and other knitting projects.

You may often see them written in patterns around markers, especially in raglan sweaters or shaped garments.

For example, a pattern may ask you to work M1R before a marker and M1L after a marker to create mirrored shaping.

When working M1L or M1R, you lift the bar between two stitches with your knitting needle, then knit into either the front or back of that lifted strand.

The direction of the increase depends on how you place the lifted strand on the needle and whether you knit into the front or back of that strand.

For the full tutorial, see: M1L and M1R Knitting Increases.

3. Yarn Over Increase

A yarn over, often written as YO, is made by bringing the yarn over the needle to create a new stitch.

Unlike KFB, M1L, M1R, or lifted increases, a yarn over creates a visible hole.

This makes it useful for lace knitting, eyelets, decorative stitch patterns, buttonholes, shawls, and openwork designs.

A yarn over is still an increase because it adds one stitch to your work.

However, it is usually used when the hole is part of the design.

If your pattern asks for a yarn over, do not substitute a nearly invisible increase unless you want to change the look of the pattern.

A yarn over is the increase to choose when you want a small hole or eyelet in your knitting.

If you do not want a small hole, choose a different increase method such as KFB, M1L, M1R, or lifted increases.

For the full step-by-step tutorial, see: How To Yarn Over In Knitting.

4. Lifted Increases: RLI And LLI

Lifted increases create a new stitch by lifting part of a stitch from a previous row.

The two most common lifted increases are RLI and LLI.

• RLI means right lifted increase and is usually used as the right-leaning increase in a pair.
• LLI means left lifted increase and is usually used as the left-leaning increase.

Lifted increases are subtle and blend especially well into stockinette stitch.

They can be a good choice when you want smooth shaping without a visible hole or bar.

They can feel a little more fiddly than KFB because you need to identify the stitch below, but they are very useful once you understand where to place your needle.

Lifted increases use part of a stitch from a previous row.

• For RLI, you lift the right side of the stitch below the next stitch on the left needle.
• For LLI, you knit the next stitch first, then lift the left side of the stitch below the worked stitch on the right-hand needle.

These increases can look very smooth on the knit side of stockinette stitch.

For the full tutorial, see: How To Knit Lifted Increases: RLI And LLI Tutorial.

Which Knitting Increase Should You Use?

The best knitting increase depends on the effect you want.

• Use KFB if you want an easy beginner-friendly increase and do not mind a small bar.
• Use M1L and M1R if your pattern needs directional shaping.
• Use a yarn over if you want a decorative hole, eyelet, or lace effect.
• Use RLI and LLI if you want a subtle increase that blends neatly into the fabric.

If you are following a knitting pattern, always use the increase method written in the instructions unless you are intentionally substituting another method.

What Is The Neatest Knitting Increase?

The neatest knitting increase depends on the fabric and the project.

• For stockinette stitch, lifted increases such as RLI and LLI can look very subtle.
• For garment shaping, M1L and M1R are often a neat choice because they are directional and can mirror each other.
• For beginner projects, KFB is neat enough for many uses and very easy to learn.
• A yarn over is not usually used when you want a hidden increase because it creates a visible hole.

Can You Substitute One Increase For Another?

Sometimes you can substitute one increase for another, but it depends on the pattern.

If the increase is used for simple shaping, you may be able to swap KFB for another increase.

If the increase is part of lace, mirrored shaping, or a decorative stitch pattern, it is better to use the exact increase written in the pattern.

Changing the increase can affect:

• The direction of the shaping
• The stitch count
• The texture
• The appearance of holes or bars
• The way the fabric sits

If you are unsure, follow the pattern as written.

What If A Pattern Does Not Say Which Increase To Use?

Some beginner patterns may simply say “increase 1 stitch” without naming a specific method.

If the pattern does not say which increase to use, KFB is often the easiest option for beginners.

However, think about where the increase will sit.

If the increase needs to be almost invisible, you may prefer a lifted increase.

If the shaping needs to lean left or right, M1L or M1R may be a better choice.

If the increase is decorative or part of lace, a yarn over may be required.

When in doubt, check the pattern notes or look at the project photo to see whether the increase is meant to be visible.

How To Increase At The Beginning Or End Of A Row

Some patterns ask you to increase at the beginning or end of a row.

This is common in sleeves, shaping, and some garment patterns.

For a simple increase near the edge, you can usually work the increase one or two stitches in from the edge.

This gives you a neater edge for seaming or finishing.

For example, instead of increasing in the very first stitch, you might knit one stitch, work the increase, then continue across the row.

Always follow your pattern instructions if it tells you exactly where to place the increase.

How To Increase In The Middle Of A Row

You may also need to increase in the middle of a row.

This is common in shawls, yokes, raglans, and decorative shaping.

A pattern may tell you to increase before or after a marker.

For example:

• Knit to marker, M1R, slip marker, knit center stitch, slip marker, M1L.
• Knit to 2 stitches before marker, KFB, knit to next marker.
• Work a yarn over before and after a center stitch.

The placement matters because it affects how your knitting grows.

If your pattern uses markers, keep them in place so you can see where each increase should happen.

Common Knitting Increase Mistakes

Forgetting to count your stitches

Increases add stitches, so your stitch count should change.

If your pattern says you should have 60 stitches after an increase row, count your stitches before continuing.

Using the wrong increase

Different increases create different effects.

KFB creates a small bar, yarn over creates a hole, M1L and M1R lean in different directions, and lifted increases are more subtle.

Use the increase written in your pattern whenever possible.

Making accidental holes

If you see holes where you did not expect them, check your increase method.

A yarn over is meant to create a hole.

M1L, M1R, and lifted increases should usually look more closed when worked correctly.

Pulling the yarn too tight

Some increases can feel tight, especially M1R, M1L, RLI, and LLI.

Try to keep your tension even so the stitches are easier to work.

Increasing in the wrong place

Increase placement matters.

If your pattern says to increase before a marker, after a marker, or at each end of a row, make sure you place the increase exactly where instructed.

A misplaced increase can change the shape of the project.

Knitting Increase FAQs

What does it mean to increase stitches in knitting?

To increase stitches in knitting means to add one or more new stitches to your work.

This makes the row or round wider and helps shape the project.

How do you add a stitch in knitting?

You can add a stitch in knitting with methods such as KFB, M1L, M1R, yarn over, or lifted increases.

Each method creates a new stitch in a slightly different way.

What is the easiest knitting increase for beginners?

KFB, or knit front and back, is one of the easiest knitting increases for beginners because it is worked into an existing stitch.

What is the neatest way to increase stitches in knitting?

Lifted increases can look very subtle in stockinette stitch.

M1L and M1R are also neat choices for directional shaping.

Does a yarn over increase stitches?

Yes, a yarn over increases your stitch count by one.

It also creates a visible hole, which is why it is often used in lace and eyelet patterns.

What is the difference between KFB and M1?

KFB is worked into the front and back of the same stitch and creates a small bar.

M1 increases are worked into the strand between stitches and can lean left or right.

What is the difference between M1L and M1R?

M1L means make one left and creates a left-leaning increase.

M1R means make one right and creates a right-leaning increase.

Can I use any increase method?

Not always.

If your pattern names a specific increase, use that method.

If it simply says “increase 1 stitch,” you may be able to choose the method that gives the look you want.

Why did my increase leave a hole?

Some increases, like yarn overs, are meant to leave a hole.

If M1L, M1R, or a lifted increase leaves a hole, check that you lifted and worked the correct part of the stitch or strand.

How do I know where to increase?

Your pattern should tell you where to increase.

It may say to increase at each end, before or after a marker, in the center, or evenly across a row.

More Knitting Increase And Decrease Tutorials

If you found this increase tutorial helpful, you may also like these knitting guides:

• KFB Knitting: How To Knit Front And Back
• M1L and M1R Knitting Increases
• How To Yarn Over In Knitting
• How To Knit Lifted Increases: RLI and LLI Tutorial
• How To Decrease Knitting 
• How To Knit 2 Together (K2tog)
• SSK Knitting Tutorial: How To Slip Slip Knit
• P2tog Knitting: How To Purl Two Together
• SSP Knitting: How To Slip Slip Purl
• PSSO Knitting: How To Pass Slipped Stitch Over
• How To Knit CDD: Centered Double Decrease Tutorial
• Knitting Abbreviations
• How To Read Knitting Patterns

Learning how to increase stitches in knitting gives you more confidence when following patterns and shaping projects.

Once you understand the main increase methods — KFB, M1L, M1R, yarn over, and lifted increases — it becomes much easier to choose the right technique for your project.

Start with one beginner-friendly method, practice on a small swatch, and then try the others as you see them in your knitting patterns.

Happy knitting!